Finding artifacts is a cool aspect of Stardew Valley, and there are lots to discover. Once found, they can be donated to the Museum, which can give generous rewards for certain artifacts. While there are a number of these artifacts, they can sometimes be difficult to find.
While it certainly isn't the main portion of the game or even a vital part at all, it's definitely a fun aspect that fellow collectors will find engaging. Here are some of the wildest artifacts found in Stardew Valley, and where to find them.
10 Trilobite
Trilobite, which is a fossilized, long-lost relative of a crab, is one of the artifacts that can be found in Stardew Valley. It's found by digging up an Artifact Spot on the beach, in Cindersap Forest, or in the Mountains.
The highest chance of finding it rests at the beach, though. Which makes sense, considering it's a relative of the crab. While this percentage still isn't high (1.7% + 2.3-5%), it's still better than the other locations. This artifact, besides being donated, can also be used to create the Excavator Shirt in the sewing machine.
9 Nautilus Fossil
Another artifact that's specific to the beach is the Nautilus Fossil, which resembles an old seashell or piece of coral. It can be found in an Artifact Spot on the beach (1.8%) or inside of a Fishing Treasure Chest. It's handy to use a Treasure Hunter fishing tackle when looking for artifacts like this - it increases the chance of treasure by a whopping 33%. With this tackle in hand, finding the Nautilus Fossil is quite easy.
8 Prehistoric Scapula
Just a fancy name for a shoulder blade, the Prehistoric Scapula is one of many bones found around Stardew Valley. It can be found in one of two places. First, it can found in an Artifact Spot in Cindersap Forest or Pelican Town by digging.
Second, it can be found from Bone Nodes on the Ginger Island Dig Site. When donated alongside the Prehistoric Skull and Skeletal Hand, players will unlock a reward - a sloth skeleton statue. So this ancient shoulder blade comes with some unique perks.
7 Golden Relic
Found only in one spot, the Golden Relic is a slab of gold with little hieroglyphics etched into it. It's found in Artifact Spots in the desert (or potentially through an Artifact Trove) and can actually be quite useful. It's requested for two Fishing Pond quests, which allows the capacity of the pond to grow.
Additionally, the Golden Relic can be used in the sewing machine to make the Relic Shirt, a nice yellow shirt with red lettering. It's the epitome of the desert aesthetic and really not that hard to find.
6 Ancient Drum
Who doesn't love an Ancient Drum? This unique artifact can be found in a large number of places. It's found in Artifact Spots in Cindersap Forest, Pelican Town, or the Bus Stop area. On top of that, it can be found inside Frozen Geodes, Omni Geodes, and Artifact Troves. This is also an artifact that comes with a reward. After donating at least two other items to the museum, the donation of the Ancient Drum will reward players with a Drum Block - a slightly annoying piece of furniture that makes a noise anytime players walk by it.
5 Dwarf Gadget
Similar in looks to a little computer, the Dwarf Gadget is a mysterious artifact that raises more questions than it answers. It can be found by digging up the soil in the mines, between levels 41 and 80. It can also be found in Omni Geodes, Magma Geodes, and Artifact Troves.
This artifact can be made into something extremely useful. After completing a request for Demetrius, players will acquire the recipe for the Farm Computer, which scans the farm and provides useful stats. It doesn't take much to make this computer, but the Dwarf Gadget is the most important part, which makes it an important artifact to find.
4 Dried Starfish
Another useful artifact, the Dried Starfish is found exactly where players expect it to be found: at the beach or in a Fishing Treasure Chest. While it makes a terrible gift (most citizens hate it), it can be used in the sewing machine to make the Golden shirt, which is a lovely shade of bright gold. In addition, it is a quest item for a Fish Pond Quest, which when used will expand the capacity of the fish pond. What comes from the ocean will always find its way back to the water.
3 Rare Disc
This artifact is rare indeed as it cannot be found in Artifact Spots like other traditional artifacts. Instead, the Rare Disc is dropped by monsters: any kind of bat, shadow brutes, shadow shamans, or spiders. Besides that, it can only be found in Fishing Treasure Chests or Artifact Troves.
While it has a dark, ominous look, it actually creates a very nice article of clothing. When used with the sewing machine, the Rare Disc makes the Navy Tuxedo - a very classy outfit, indeed.
2 Elvish Jewelry
Found in Artifact Spots in Cindersap Forest or in Fishing Treasure Chests, the Elvish Jewelry is more of a reference than anything else. It's not a part of any quests and it can only be used to make the Jewelry Shirt with the sewing machine.
But when found, the description reads "No Elvish bones have ever been found," which could be a reference to Lord of the Rings, in which the Elves were virtually immortal. Besides that potential reference, the Elvish Jewelry is nothing more than a pretty artifact.
1 Dinosaur Egg
The Dinosaur Egg is a very unique artifact because it is also an animal product. It can be placed in an Incubator to make a little dinosaur for the farm! In addition, when used with the sewing machine, a dino egg will create the Dinosaur Hat. It's found in Artifact Spots in The Mountains, in Fishing Treasure Chests, dropped from a Pepper Rex, foraged on Prehistoric Floors in the Skull Cavern, or won in the Crane Game in the Movie Theater. It's arguably the more versatile artifact in Stardew Valley, and the most profitable.